It’s been almost a year since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and it has torpedoed economies and the mettle of the public healthcare system around the world. As the second wave of COVID-19 continues to spread its terror, we see a ray of hope with the discovery of vaccines and the ongoing COVID vaccine drive in India. Since January, there have been nationwide drills to prepare more than 90,000 healthcare workers to administer the vaccine.
In the latest guidelines, released on 19th April, everyone above the age of 18 years will receive the COVID-19 vaccinations. Registrations have started. All those who are eligible can register themselves on the Co-Win portal, Aarogya Setu app or UMANG app.
The government’s agenda is to inoculate about 300 million people on a priority list within 2021.
How many people have been vaccinated so far and where?
The indigenously developed vaccine, Covaxin, initiated by the government has started to show positive results. The Covid vaccine was launched on January 16, 2021, and as of April 29th, 2021, 15 crore vaccines have been administered, with as many as 125 million vaccine doses. As of April 29th, India has crossed the 15 crore Covid-19 vaccination mark, since the largest inoculation drive started.
Here’s a quick view of the top 10 states and their vaccination updates (as of April 2021) –
| State | Vaccination Count |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1,09,09,765 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 47,56,984 |
| Maharashtra | 1,26,50,266 |
| Bihar | 58,38,127 |
| Odisha | 50,72,765 |
| Karnataka | 75,43,325 |
| Gujarat | 1,06,20,832 |
| West Bengal | 89,76,743 |
| Rajasthan | 1,11,92,119 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 75,07,451 |
More on Covid-19 vaccines in India
1. What vaccine/s are currently available?
As of now, the vaccine that is authorized by the government and being administered across the country is COVAXINTM. It is India’s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine and developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Virology (NIV). This indigenous, inactivated vaccine is developed and manufactured in Bharat Biotech’s BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) high containment facility.
The second vaccine – Covishield, developed by the Serum Institute of India, is being administered in limited numbers since transporting the same is currently a challenge in the warmer weather. Other vaccines, like the ZyCov-Di, Sputnik V, HGCO 19, and a couple more, are being now researched and currently under trial.
2. What is the cost of the Covid-19 vaccine?
Covid-19 vaccines in India are currently divided as free and paid for different groups. For people over 60 years of age and those over 45 years with comorbidities will be able to get COVID-19 vaccine free at government healthcare facilities. In private schools, there will be a certain charge for the vaccines. Find the costs of other vaccines below –
| Vaccine | Cost |
| Covishield | Rs 200 per dose (for first 100 million doses), Rs 1,000 per dose thereafter at private outlets |
| Covaxin | Rs 206 per dose |
| Pfizer-BioNTech | Rs 1,431 per dose |
| Moderna | Rs 2,348 to Rs 2,715 per dose |
| Sinopharm | Less than Rs 5,650 per dose |
| Sinovac Biotech | Rs 1,027 per dose |
| Novavax | Rs 1,114 per dose |
| Gamaleya Centre | less than Rs 734 per dose |
| Johnson and Johnson | Rs 734 per dose |
3. Who is eligible to receive the vaccine? Where do I stand in the queue?
There is a priority list for administering the Covid-19 vaccine in India. The first group includes healthcare and frontline workers. From 1st April 2021, everyone above the age of 18 years is eligible to take the vaccines.
The eligible people will be notified on their registered mobile numbers by local healthcare facilities about the schedule and venue of vaccination.
4. Is the Covid vaccine safe? What are the possible side effects?
The Indian Council of Medical Research and Bharat Biotech has signed off the Covid vaccine as safe to be administered. However, there are a few possible side-effects that may occur, like any other vaccine.
The mild side-effects of the Covaxin include injection site pain, injection site swelling, injection site redness, injection site itching, stiffness in the upper arm, weakness in the injection arm, body ache, headache, fever, malaise, weakness, rashes, nausea, vomiting.
Bharat Biotech has also stated that there is a very slim possibility of a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine for some people. Symptoms may include difficulty in breathing, swelling of face and throat, fast heart-beat, rashes all over the body, dizziness, and weakness.
You should not take the vaccine, if you have any history of allergies, fever, bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner, are immune-compromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system, are pregnant, are breastfeeding, any other serious health-related issues, as determined by the vaccinator/officer supervising vaccination. Also, people who have taken another anti-Covid vaccine should not take Covaxin.
5. When can you resume carefree travel after getting vaccinated?
If you get vaccinated against Covid-19, it typically means that you are immune to the virus and will not be able to spread the virus to others. However, doctors advise observing caution. While the vaccines are safe and protect you from the further transmission, they are not 100% effective right away. It takes weeks to build up the immunity. There might be slight chances of transmission, which is still under research, and herd immunity is far-fetched as of now. While you can travel after immunization, it is advisable to take all possible precautions. You should still maintain maximum hygiene, wear a mask when in a public environment, wash your hands, and maintain social distancing.
6. Can a vaccine certificate be your free pass to travel anywhere?
Yes and no. While getting vaccinated allows you to travel, you still need to exercise basic rules and regulations, health cautions, and necessary measures to keep yourself and others safe. A vaccine certificate will testify to your immunity to travel across states or countries. For domestic travel, there is a QR-coded vaccine certificate in plans, which will register your immunity status, through a vaccine certificate, linked to your mobile number and identity proof.
IATA is also working on a mobile app (for both iOS and Android) that will enable travelers to save and manage their Covid-19 tests and vaccination certificates for traveling to foreign destinations.
Other common vaccine-related questions
1. Is it mandatory to get the vaccine?
No. It is not a government mandate to get the Covid-19 vaccine. However, given the current extent of the pandemic, the status of public health, and considering the safety of the people, it is extremely advisable to get immunized for the safety of yourself and those in close contact with you.
2. If I had Covid-19 and recovered, do I still have to take the vaccine?
Yes. It is most recommended that you get the complete dosage of the Covid-19 vaccine even if you have had Covid in the past. The vaccines will only improve your immune response to further contamination from the virus.
3. If I have Covid-19 currently, can I still get vaccinated?
If you or anyone close to you is currently suffering from Covid, it is highly risky to get the vaccine and the affected patient can spread the virus to others at the vaccination site. Hence, it is advised that the patient waits for 14 days to get vaccinated after the Covid symptoms have resolved through proper treatment.
What is the current status of Covid-19 vaccination in different cities?
1. COVID Vaccines in Delhi
Delhi government has set up 192 hospitals as vaccination centers and so far 27,000 people have been immunized.
2. COVID Vaccines in Mumbai
There are 50 (and additional centers upcoming) vaccination centers in the city and 22975 people have been immunized so far.
3. COVID Vaccines in Bangalore
The state government has initiated 300 vaccination centers across the metro city and 50299 people have been immunized.
4. COVID Vaccines in Chennai
Chennai currently has 72 vaccination centers and 41643 people across Chennai and Greater Chennai have received the vaccination.
5. COVID Vaccines in Hyderabad
The state government has targeted about 5 lakh people to get vaccinated across 24 centers in Hyderabad city.
6. COVID Vaccines in Kolkata
There are currently 98 vaccination centers in Kolkata now with a target of vaccinating 2 lakh people, as of March 2021.
Ensuring safe travel to vaccination centres
Over a billion people in India have been eagerly waiting to get vaccinated. The country being one of the largest vaccine producing nations, is doing everything in its caliber to scale the vaccine roll-out. However, accessibility in smaller cities and remote towns has been an enormous challenge logistically. While the government is working relentlessly on distribution in temperature-controlled storage, setting up infrastructure for vaccine administration and raising awareness by sharing vaccine information in these towns/cities, the task is daunting and time-consuming!
If you are based out of smaller cities or remote towns, you can conveniently travel to the nearest metro city in a chauffeur-driver cab to get the older members of your family vaccinated. Savaari has slashed its intercity fares up to 30% to provide affordable rides to those in the need of them.
For those seeking a safe commute to the vaccination centres in their own city, can book hourly rentals to take you to and from the centres. You can opt for half-day or full-day local rentals depending on the distance from the house and the number of family members who will be administered the dose. The car, sanitised exclusively for you, will be at your disposal all this while and will ensure a risk-free travel back home.
COVID Vaccination centres in India
COVID Vaccination Centres in Bangalore
Government centres:
- Bowring Medical College Hospital
- CV Raman General Hospital
- General Hospital, Bangalore
- KC General Hospital, Jayanagar
- Medical College and Hospital
Private centres:
- Raghavendra People Tree Hospital
- Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences
- Columbia Asia Hospital, Yeshwanthpur
- Vikram Hospital,
- Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road
- Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road
- Columbia Asia Hospital, Sarjapur
- Apollo Hospital, Sheshadripuram
- Apollo Hospital, Bannerghatta Road
- Columbia Asia Hospital, Whitefield
- Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal
- Aster CMI Hospital, Hebbal
- Apollo Speciality Hospital, Jayanagar
- Sparsh Hospital
- Rajarajeswari Medical College & Hospital
- BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences
- Hospital, Sushrusha Hospital
- MS Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital
- Dayanand Sagar Hospital
- Kumaraswamy Layout, Mallige
COVID Vaccination Centres in Mumbai
Government centres:
- Apex Hospitals
- Apex Multispeciality Hospitals
- Sapana Health Care Centre
- Shantiniketan Hospital
- Shivam Hospital
- Ashtvinayak Hospital & Super Speciality Hospital
- Asian Institute of Medical Science
- Balaji Hospital
- Mallika Hospital
- MPCT Hospital
- Niramaya Hospital
- Panacea Hospital
- Pinnacle Ortho Centre
- Shushrusha Heart Care Center & Multi Speciality Hospital
- Siddhivinayak Maternity & General Hospital
- Prachin Healthcare Multi-speciality Hospital
- Rane Hospital Pvt. Ltd
- Riddhi Vinayak, Critical Care & Cardiac Centre
- Riddhi Vinayak, Multi Speciality Hospital
- SRCC Childrens Hospital
- Surana Hospital & Research Centre
- Surana Sethia Hospital Research Centre
- Shivam Hospital, Multi Spciality & Joint Replacement Centre
- Shree Balaji Hospital
- Dr. R.N.Patil’s Suraj Hospital
- Life Line Multi Speciality Hospital
- M/s S. S. Vaidya Health Care Pvt. Ltd
Private centres:
- Saiefee Hospital
- Breach Candy Hospital
- Bhatiya Hospital
- CAMA Hospital
- Jaslok Hospital
- HN Reliance Hospital
- LTMC & GH Sion Hospital
- K J Somaya Hospital
- Hinduja Hospital
- Kasturba Hospital
- TNMC & BYL Nair Ch. Hospital
- JJ Hospital
- KEM Hospital
- Global Hospital
- Wockhardt Hospital
- Prince Aly Khan
- SL Raheja Hospital
- SRRC Children Hospital
- BKC Jumbo Hospital
- Cooper Hospital
- Nanavati Hospital
- Kokilaben Hospital
- Holy Family Hospital
- Seven Hills Hospital
- K B Bhabha Hospital, Bandra
- Lilavati Hospital
- Bhagvati Hospital
- Kurla Bhaba Hospital
- Centennary Govandi Hospital
- Barc Hospital
- MAA Hospital
- Rajawadi Hospital
- Nesco
- SK Patil Hospital
- MW Desai Hospital
- BDBA Hospital
- Dahisar Hospital
- Sushrusha Hospital & Research Centre, Vikhroli
- KJ Somaiya Hospital & Research Centre
- PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC
- Kaushalya Medical Foundation Trust
- Hindu Mahasabha Hospital
- LH Hiranandani Hospital
- Veer Savarkar Hospital
- Mulund Jumbo
- Masina Hospital
- Holy Family Hospital
- S L Raheja Hospital
- Conwest & Manjula S Badani Jain Hospital
- Holy Spirit Hospital
- Surana Sethia Hospital
- Tata Hospital
- Guru Nanak Hospital
- Bombay Hospital
- Fortis, Mulund
COVID Vaccination Centres in Delhi
Government centres:
- Aruna Asaf Ali Govt. Hospital
- Balak Ram Hospital
- Burari Hospital
- Dr. N. C. Joshi Hospital
- GB Pant Hospital
- Girdhari Lal Hospital
- Guru Nanak Eye Hospital
- Hindu Rao Hospital
- Kasturba Hospital
- Lok Nayak Hospital
- Maulana Azad Dental Institute
- Maulana Azad Medical College
- Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya
- Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital
- General Hospital Cantonment
- Kalawati Saran Children Hospital
- NDMC Charak Palika Hospital NDMC
- Delhi Northern Railways Hospital Railways
- Delhi Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
- Delhi Maternity, Gynae Hospital, Delhi
- Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital
- Maharishi Valmiki Hospital
- Satyawadi Raja Harishchandra Hospital
- JPC Hospital
- Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital Pitampura
- Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital
- Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital Rohini
- ESI Hospital Rohini
- Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital Mangolpuri
- Shahdara Delhi State Cancer Institute
- Shahdara Doctor Hegdewar Arogya Sansthan
- Shahdara Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
- Shahdara IG ESI Hospital
- Shahdara IHBAS
- Shahdara Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital Tahirpur
- Shahdara Swami Dayanand Hospital
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences
- Ambedkar Nagar Hospital
- Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS)
- PT. Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital
- Safdarjung Hospital
- ESI Hospital Okhla Phase 1
- LNC Hospital, Lajpat Nagar
- PSMS Hospital, Kalkaji
- CRPF Composite Hospital, Jharoda Kalan Govt.
- Dada Dev Hospital
- Mansaram Park Dispensary
- RHTC Najafgarh
- RTRM Hospital
- Acharya Shree Bhikshuk Govt Hospital
- Deen Dayal UpadhyayHospital
- ESI Hospital Basaidara Pur
- Guru Gobind Singh Govt Hospital
Private centres:
- Bharti Eye Foundation
- Mahesh Hospital
- Dr. Kapurs The Healing Touch Eye & Maternity Centre
- Park Hospital A Unit Of Park Medi World Pvt Ltd
- Metro Hospital & Heart Institute
- Oncoplus Hospital
- Sharp Sight Centre
- Life Line Dental Care
- Dr Goels Eye Centre
- Dr Shroffs Charity Eye Hospital
- Nks Hospital A Unit Of Bram Health Care Pvt Ltd
- Rlkc Hospital Metro Heart Institute
- Kukreja Hospital & Heart Center Pvt Ltd
- Centre For Sight Safdarjung Enclave
- Sehgal Nursing Home
- Sonia Hospital
- Centre For Sight Dwarka
- Maharaja Agrasen Hospital Dwarka
- Cygnus Mls Superspeciality Hospital
- Ardent Ganpati Hospital
- Surya Kiran Hospital Pvt. Ltd.
- Swasthik Hospital Najafgarh
- Visitech Eye Centre
- Stars Dental Clinic
- Eye4U
- Human Care Medical Charitable Trust
- Mgs Hospital
- Mgs super speciality Hospital
- Action Cancer Hospital
- Sri Balaji Action Medical Institiute
- Ayushman Hospital & Health Services
- Dr Nanda Eye Care Centre
- Vision Eye Hospital
- Grover Memorial Hospital
- Khanna Eye Centre
- Centre For Smile (Dental Clinic & Implant Centre)
- Bharti Eye Hospital
- Universal Center Of Health Sciences
- Metro Hospital & Cancer Institute
- Medanta The Medicity
- Kapil Multispeciality Hospital
- Ahuja Laser Eye Centre
- Mahajan Eye Centre
- Mangalam Medical And Surgical Centre
- Maharaja Agarsain Multispeciality Hospital
- Dcdc Health Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Eye Mantra Hospital
- Delhi Multi Speciality Hospital
- Nephrine Unit Dcdc Health Services Private Limited
- Jdar Pathology Laboratory
- Tarak Hospitals India Pvt. Ltd.
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital
- Hakim Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital
- Samar Hospital
- Karuna Sindhu Charitable Hospital
- Dr Lalchandani Labs Ltd
COVID Vaccination Centres in Chennai
Government centres:
- Csi Kalyani General Hospital
- Csi Rainy Multispeciality Hospital
- Noble Hospital
- Soundarapandian Bone And Joint Hospital And Research Institute Pvt. Ltd
- Sugam Hospital
- Frontier Lifeline Hospital
- Parvathy Ortho Hospital Pvt. Ltd
- K.k.r. Ent Hospital And Research Institute
- Trinity Acute Care Hospital
- Mahalakshmi Multi Speciality Hospital
- Sri Manakula Vinayagar College & Hospital
- Pondicherry Institute Of Medical Sciences
Private centres:
- Abhijay Hospital Perambur
- National Hospital
- Life Care Hospital
- Sampat Nursing Home
- Laksha Mylapore
- Trinity Acute care
- CSI Kalyani General Hospital
- Vivekananda hospital Mylapore
- Kavery Hospital
- Laksha Hospital
- Sakthi Hospital Triplicane
- Apollo Children’s Hospital
- Apollo Greams
- Medical Research Foundation
- City Police Hospital
- Apollo First Med Kilpauk
- The Guest Hospital
- Kumaran Hospital Kilpauk
- lswarya Women Kilpauk
- Tosh Hospital
- Aysha Hospital Kilpauk
- Lifeline Multispeciality Hospital
- Murugan Hospital kilpauk
- Ramarau Polyclinic Kilpauk
- New Hope Medical Center
- KKR ENT Hospital And Institute
- Sen Hospital Perambur
- Srinivas Priya Hospital
- S.G Hospital
- Muthu Hospital
- Sudha Hospital
- Sri Kumaran Multi Speciality Hospital
- Shanmugam Multi Speciality Hospital
- Nichani Hospital Royapuram
- Laksha Hospital Royapettah
- Radhatri Nethralaya T Nagar
- Sri Lakshmi Clinic Maternity Centre
- Bharathirajaa Speciality Hospital
- Be Well Hospital
- Gunasekaran Hospitals Pvt Ltd
- Dr Rai Memorial Cancer Institute
- Girishwari Hospital
- Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital
- Adyar PM Hospital Adyar
- Padmapriya Hospital Adyar
- Fortis Malar Hospital
- Mint Hospitals
- Iswarya Women Adyar
- Cancer Institute Adyar
- Priya Nursing Home Old Washermenpet
- M.N Eye Hospital
- CSI RAINY MULTISPECIALITY HOSP
- Medway Women Centre
- Medway Hospital
- Soorya Hospital Saligramam
- SIMS Vadapalani
- Vijaya Hospital
- Madras ENT Research Foundation
- Billroth
- MK Speciality Clinic
- Apollo Spectra Hospital R.A Puram
- M R Hospital
- MGM HOSPITAL
- Billroth Hospitals Shenoy Nagar
- Padmini Nursing Home Chetpet
- VS Hospitals India Pvt Ltd.
- Dr Mehtas Hospitals Chetpet
- Public Health And Welfare Society
- Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital
- SIMS Nungambakkam
- APOLLO SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
- Venkataeswara Hospital Nandhanam
- Rathimed Speciality Hospital
- Sundaram Medical Foundation
- Sundaram Medical Foundation
- Veecare Hospital
- Astra Ortho N Spine Care Hospital
- Xcellent Care Super Speciality
- Prashanth Hospital Velachery
- Bloom Health Care
- Faith Multispecialty Hospital
- K.G.J Hospitals Korattur
- Arun Vijaya Hospitals KK Nagar
- Shaarave Multi Speciality Hospital
- Maya Nursing Home
- Noble Hospital
- Life Med Hospitals Gopalapuram
- GKM Hospital Pvt Ltd
- Saraswathy Multi Speciality Hospitals
- Annai multi speciality Virugambakkam
- Orthopedic Centre
- Urology and Robotics Inst. OMR
- Gem Hospital and Research Ctr Pvt.Ltd
- Vihaa Hospital
- Appasamy Hospitals
- Hycare Super Speciality Hospital
- Sai Speed Hospitals Arumbakkam
- Prime Indian Hospitals Pvt Ltd
- Thalassemia Welfare Hospital
COVID Vaccination Centres in Kolkata
Government Centres:
- MR Bangur DH & SSH
- Amri Hosp, Salt Lake
- Desun Hosp Empanelled with ECHS
- Kolkata IDBG
- KPC Medical College
- Kolkata Medical College
- Kolkata CNCI
- Integrated Ayush Hospital, Tapsikhata
- Bankura Onda SSH
- Bankura Medicare General Hospital (NH)
- Birbhum Glocal Hospital, Birbhum
- Birbhum RMYF Royal Nursing Home &
- Diagnostic Centre
- Shramajibi Hospital
- ESI Hospital, Bandel
- Blue View Nursing Home
- Seven Rangers
- Kamala Roy
- Arambagh Nursing Home
- ESI Hospital, Gourhati
- Howrah Sanjiban Hospital
- Howrah ILS, Golabari
- Howrah Satyabala IDH
- Howrah ESI Hospital, Baltikuri
- Howrah Uluberia ESI Hospital
- Howrah Narayana Hospital Old Building, West Bank Hospital
- Howrah TLJ Hospital
- Jalpaiguri Biswabangla Krirangan
- Jalpaiguri Agrasen Hospital
- Jhargram St. Joseph Hospital
- Kalimpong Triveni Hospital
- Malda EHC Glocal Hospital, Malda
- Malda Dishari Nursing Home, Chanchal
Private centres:
- B.M. Birla Heart Research Centre
- Desun Hospital & Heart Institute 3 North City Hospital & Neuro Institute Pvt
- B. P. Poddar Hospitals & Medical Research Ltd.
- Narayana Superspeciality Hospital (Unit of Meridian Medical Research & Hospital Ltd)
- Narayana multi-speciality Hospital (Unit of Meridian Medical Research & Hospital Ltd.)
- B.M.R.C. Hospitals Ltd.
- Peerless Hospitex Hospital And Research Center Limited
- Ruby General Hospital
COVID Vaccination Centres in Hyderabad
Government Centres:
- ABC Hospitals
- Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited
- CARE Hospitals (Visakha Hospitals and Diagnostics Ltd)
- Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Health Care and Medical Technology
- HCG Pinnacle Cancer Centre
- Indus Hospitals (a unit of Vasugan Medical Specialities Pvt., Ltd.,)
- Mahatma Gandhi Cancer & Research Institute (a unit of Vizag Hospital & Cancer
- Research Centre Private Limited)
- Mycure Hospitals Unit-1 (a unit of Sahrudaya Health Care Pvt. Ltd.,)
- Mycure Hospitals Unit-2 (a unit of Sahrudaya Health Care Pvt. Ltd.,)
- Pinnacle Hospitals Pvt. Ltd.,
- Q1 Hospitals (a unit of Q1 Bone & Joint Hospital)
- Seven Hills Hospital (a unit of Seven Hills Healthcare Pvt., Ltd.,)
- STAR Pinnacle Heart Centre Pvt. Ltd.
- Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences(VIMS)
- Lalitha Superspeciality Hospital Private Limited
- Omega Hospitals
- Aayush NRI LEPL Health Care (P) Ltd
Private Centres:
- Apollo Health And Lifestyle Ltd Diagnostics Laboratory
- Pushpagiri Eye Institute
- Medivision Eye And Healthcare Centre Pvt Ltd
- Aravind Eye Hospital Limited
- Eye Institute Operating Trust Of L V Prasad Eye Institute
- Virinchi Hospitals
- Nephroplus Banjara Hills Centre
- Medicover Hospitals A Unit Of Sahrudaya
